1/19/09

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has been deeply concerned about Barack Obama's support for abortion rights, today released a letter from the conference president, Cardinal Francis E. George (right) of Chicago, to the president-elect, urging him not to overturn a series of regulations that, according to the bishops, "protect conscience rights of health care workers, prevent foreign aid to organizations promoting abortion, and ban funding of stem cell research that encourages destruction of human embryos."

During the campaign, you promised as President to represent all the people and respect everyone’s moral and religious viewpoints. You also made several statements about abortion. On one occasion, when asked at what point a baby has human rights, you answered in effect that you do not have a definite answer. And you spoke often about a need to reduce abortions.

The Catholic Church teaches that each human being, at every moment of biological development from conception to natural death, has an inherent and fundamental right to life. We are committed not only to reducing abortion, but to making it unthinkable as an answer to unintended pregnancy. At the same time, I think your remarks provide a basis for common ground. Uncertainty as to when human rights begin provides no basis for compelling others to violate their conviction that these rights exist from the beginning. After all, those people may be right. And if the goal is to reduce abortions, that will not be achieved by involving the government in expanding and promoting abortions.

Let's hope that the many prayers that will be offered, especially at the Eucharistic Adoration held at parishes throughout the archdiocese on Wednesday, will change Obama's mind on this issue of overriding importance.

I don't know if there's something wrong with me, but I feel uneasy every time I hear things like "the Catholic Church teaches that each human being (...) has an inherent and fundamental right to life."Being Catholic should not be the reason to defend the rights of the unborn. I don't oppose abortion because I'm catholic. I oppose abortion because I'm a human being. It's not (or it shouldn't be) a "teaching" of the Catholic Church. It muddles up things when people are led to think that we are trying to make (or worse, "impose") a Catholic teaching a matter of law. A Catholic teaching is the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, to mention one. And we wouldn't dream of making it a law that people should believe in this doctrine, or that everybody should fast during Lent.

Well, the very agreement that you have as a human being with the Catholic Church, regarding abortion, is a teaching of the Church. What the church teaches about racism is also something that human beings may agree with, regardless of their faith stance.

The Church is charged by Christ and the gospel to preach the gospel of love: Love one another as I have loved you, said the Lord. It's certainly within the Church's rights, especially in the US, to explain how that gospel charge applies to particular moral concerns.

Teaching on moral issues is not the same as teaching theological doctrine or spiritual exercises (like fasting). Nor has or will the Church try to make law of such teaching.

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.